98 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA 



CHAP. 



throuofh this belt of bush, we were charoed no less 

 than four times by rhinos ! 



The first time this happened we were all three 

 riding abreast, the safari straggling behind and 

 jabbering away among themselves. As we emerged 

 from the thicket into a strip of glade, we saw to our 

 left, on the far side of it and some seventy yards 

 away, two rhino that had evidently heard our 

 approach and were on the look-out for us. The 

 moment we appeared they bore down as if they 

 meant to trample us out of existence. There was 

 but little chance of stopping them with a bullet, as 

 it is never an easy matter to hit a charging rhino in 

 a vital spot. Instant action was, however, necessary, 

 so I called to the others to stand still and galloped 

 the unwilling Aladdin on ahead towards the brutes. 

 When I got to within some twenty-five yards of 

 them, they suddenly swerved from the safari and 

 made a furious charge at my horse. This was 

 exactly what I wanted, so swinging Aladdin sharply 

 round I rode swiftly across the front of the caravan, 

 not thirty yards ahead of it — the snorting rhino in 

 hot pursuit. 



My companions meanwhile stood breathlessly 

 watching the exciting chase, full of anxiety on my 

 account, while I was only concerned that the beasts 

 should continue their charge until we were well clear 

 of the safari. I knew there was no danger so long 

 as Aladdin kept his feet. 



